Some men and women in suburban Detroit considering a face lift are looking at a full range of alternatives to look younger. One such treatment that’s getting a lot of press is acupuncture. This Eastern practice based on ancient principles of traditional Chinese medicine is now being used cosmetically. But does it really work?
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is said to stimulate the body at specific points using slender, sterile needles to promote the optimum flow of energy, or qi, through the body. Chinese traditional medicine practitioners believe that the qi flows along special channels in the body called meridians. When these pathways are blocked, then physical symptoms manifest. Unblocking these meridians through acupuncture allows the body to heal itself and work properly again.
The principle of cosmetic acupuncture dates back to the 800-year-old Sun dynasty, when the emperor’s concubines used this practice to retain their youthful beauty. Proponents of cosmetic acupuncture state that the needle stimulation encourages blood flow, increases skin elasticity and activates collagen production. With continued use, improvements may be seen in better muscle tone and improved pore appearance.
A Scientific Solution
While cosmetic acupuncture is getting attention these days, there isn’t much scientific evidence to back up these dramatic claims. Many people believe that the benefits of acupuncture in any better form are only a placebo effect, although there’s no clinical studies proving or disproving the benefits of acupuncture.
In the meantime, people who are serious about looking younger are likely to find the best results when they trust their faces to tried and true anti-aging solutions, from minimally invasive treatments like injectables to surgical options like eyelid surgery and other procedures.